Tua Pek Kong Temple, Kuching, Sarawak

The history of the Chinese community in Sarawak has and always been an interesting topic to ponder, especially when they managed to preserve one of their oldest temples in the midst of the Kuching city. The Siew San Teng Temple (also known locally as Tua Pek Kong Temple) is the earliest known and oldest Chinese temple built near the waterfront of Kuching, Sarawak.

Located just opposite the Chinese History Museum and overlooking a busy junction, it is one of the most famous tourist destinations in Sarawak. From its humble beginnings as a small and simple hut some time during the 1800s, its first known renovation was done in 1856, and was upgraded with ceramic roofing and partially brick walls in 1863. Charles Brooke, the second Rajah of Sarawak, issued the earliest known official land title for the temple in 1871. The introduction of cement in 1880 has played a major role in massive renovation projects, which led to what it is now. It is so well-preserved that it stood up as an attraction in the midst of the busy traffic.

It is said that the temple has the best Feng Shui location since it was one of the buildings that survived the Great Fire of Kuching and remained intact during the 1941 Japanese occupation, where the Japanese Imperial Army bombed the area and nearby buildings were badly damaged and some were completely demolished. It is also said that the placement of the temple itself, of which it faces the water and the mountains, ensures a good channel of Feng Shui for its devotees to come and doing their prayers for their deity.

Above is the view from inside of the temple.  Below is the photo of the altar where the people pay respect for their deities.

If you happen to have a vacation in Kuching, please do visit this temple. And one more thing, being charitable is not as bad as it seems, for it might bring good fortune.

Gawai Harvest Festival/Hari Gawai in Sarawak

Gawai Dayak also commonly known as Dayak Festival is one of the major festivals celebrated in Sarawak, East Malaysia. The word ‘Dayak’ is a collective term referring to the several hundred sub ethnic groups of indigenous people of Borneo. To name a few major ethnic groups, there are the Iban (Sea Dayak), Bidayuh (Land Dayak) and Orang Ulu (Kelabit, Kenyahs, Lun Bawangs, etc). Although some have become Christians, they are traditionally animists and live in the interiors of Borneo. Nonetheless, as time pass, some have moved into the city to further their studies and work.

Dayak children in their traditional costumes

Hari Gawai, which falls on the 1st and 2nd of June each year is particularly celebrated by the Ibans and Bidayuhs. It is both a religious and social occasion as this festival marks the end of the harvesting season (similar to Pesta Ka’amatan in Sabah) and it is a festival filled with much singing and dancing as they start a new farming season. It is one of the major festivals the Dayaks celebrate; therefore, most of those who work in the city would return to their village for the celebration.

A month prior to Hari Gawai, most of the locals would prepare the often raved tuak or rice wine. This famous, not-to-be-missed concoction is made of glutinous rice collected from the recent harvest mixed with home-made yeast and is left for fermentation. Another similar but stronger alcohol that is made by the locals is called langkau. This is the equivalent of our modern day Vodka whereby fermented tuak goes through a process of heating and condensation before it is being collected in a container.

"Tuak" or wine rice preparation in Dayak longhouse

The Gawai celebration is always an occasion of much merry-making. The celebration will not be complete if not for the singing, dancing and fair amount of drinking. Sometimes, Christian Dayaks would go to church for mass and gather after that for a celebration over dinner.

Open house or visiting each others is a tradition during Gawai

Although officially it is only a two-day public holiday, the celebration often goes on continuously for over a fortnight. However, those who work will have to go back after the two-day celebration. If you have never visited East Malaysia, this is definitely a good time to visit Sarawak and have a taste of its local culture and be a part of the festivity.

Top 5 Things to do in Kuching, Sarawak

This one’s about the things to do in the city itself.

1. Sit on the riverbank

Southern coast of Sarawak River has been completely redesigned in recent years to create a peaceful waterfront.  Shadow Walks hanging trees and flower gardens, are fairyland at night, colorful lights reflected in the river below.

Brown with rich soil from above during the day, at night the river shone like a city. The kids loved it. And there was something really magical river at night, sleeping peacefully under the city lights. Stalls line the Esplanade, local residents and tourists to rest in peace on the benches in the park, and restaurants make the busy coastal trade.

2. Kuching Cat Statues

It is a coincidence that the Malay word for "cat" is "Kuching", but hey, what better reason could there be to get the cat city in Malaysia? There are three main cat statues of the city, like this one.

There are cat museum situated in the Kuching North City Hall at Bukit Siol. It will be awesome visit for cat lovers.

3. Stroll through Chinatown

Kuching has an old Chinatown, around Jalan Carpenter, and a new Chinatown, which is a very commercial area, along Jalan Padungan, worth a visit for its markets. There are a few restaurants around, too.

Jalan Carpenter and around beautiful place to see the traditional architecture of the ancient city of Kuching, and plenty of Chinese temples. Harmony Arco is located at the entrance to the street.

Hian Thian Siang temple houses a shrine of Shang Di (Emperor of Heaven) and was rebuilt in 1884 after a fire destroyed the building.

Across the temple is a good central Chinese street to grab a bite to eat. It was Sunday when we visited, and the streets were quiet, but beautiful.

The Hong San Temple itself dates back to the 1840s, and colored dragons sit atop its roof.

4. Take a river cruise

If you get on board the tiny champagne, putting transporting people back and forth across the river, take a fast boat to the mangroves downstream, or make one of the many cruises tourist sunset on offer, worth it out on the water.

Fear of small open boats while traveling mangrove out on the peninsula Santubong Miss Phoebe is done, we opted for the great choice of tourist ferry, for a one and a half hour sunset cruise. Those without boat phobia might be able to do something more adventurous.

See State Assembly unmistakable Sarawak from the river.

Relax with a cold drinks.

Enjoy a cultural show.

Take a look at the colorful local fishing fleet.

Take a sunset shot.

5. Sarawak Museum

Sarawak Museum has a couple of good covering all natural, historical, artistic, anthropological and ethnological things.

The Ethnological Museum has some rather plush worn down things - animals in the area and beyond. We love filled with things, so this was cool, despite the worn leather. Above, focuses on the indigenous cultures of Borneo, including a replica of the interior of a longhouse Bidayuh, skulls included. (Ancestors of  Bidayuh were renowned headhunters).

Kuching - Sarawak, Malaysia (Borneo)

Kuching City

Described as one of the most attractive cities in Southeast Asia, Kuching is the state capital of Sarawak, Malaysia. It’s a city rich in history and modern structures.  Kuching is a fascinating mix of modern and old world charm. Sarawak River divided Kuching into two; in the South Kuching with commercial and residential area, dominated by ethnic Chinese, while North Kuching is predominantly Malay in character, with traditional village houses lining the river. Both parts of the city are different in character with Mayor of South Kuching and Mayor of North Kuching and each with their own town hall.  Kuching is known that the most dense city in the whole of Sarawak in Malaysia.

History of Kuching

Kuching was founded in 1827.  Ruled by the Sultanate of Brunei back almost 200 years and took over by James Brooke.  He crowned himself as the Rajah Putih (The White King).  Brookes ruled in Kuching for three generations and made a lot of changes in development of Kuching.  Astana Palace which is a famous tourist spot was once the Residence of the Brooke Dynasty. During the reign of James Brooke, piracy is illegal, and the whole is bound to comply with certain laws. In 1868, when Charles Brooke took the throne, he has given great attention to the upgrading of the city. The new building was built and renovated sewers.  Old shops have been transformed into a brick building. The incidence of major fire damaged the entire city and to jump out of the ashes in the kingdom James Brooke. It can be said that only during the reign of James Brooke, Kuching developed from the ruins of a big city.  Although Japan occupied this place, Kuching ruled by the Brooke family. Since December 1941, the city was handed over to the Japanese. British Commonwealth invaded Kuching in 1946 and finally gained independence in 1963.

Peoples of Kuching

Kuching is associated with people and they welcome tourists.  As a multi-cultural city in Malaysia, Kuching has all kinds of people . There are mix of different religions and languages ​​in this wonderful city.  Just as the Chinese people most in terms of Hokkien and Hakka , the same way the Malays speak the national language . Brokes (then British) introduced English as the language  and most of the Kuching people understand English . India comprises Tamil , Punjabi and Sikh available in Kuching. In addition, Kuching is a home of the native of Sarawak namely Iban and  Bidayuh. All in all, Kuching offers you a mixture of different cultures.

Weather in Kuching

Kuching is bright and sunny, except for the peak of monsoon season in February.  Kuching gets a lot of rain almost all year round.  Kuching receive the maximum amount of rain in July and still relatively dry.  Although it is a quiet, urban storm occurred from time to time.

Others areas in Kuching

Just like other cities, Kuching also divided into several areas. They are Kota Sentosa, BDC, Tabuan Jaya, Batu Kawah,  Satok and Petra Jaya.   Other areas such as Padawan is a small town Bidayuh villages and longhouses.  In Kota Sentosa, will come in a number of shops and malls, while in Matang, you will see a huge crater, known Gunung  (Mount) Serapi.  Padungan has the Kuching oldest commercial space which is also known as China Town of Kuching.  Tourists can also enjoy the nightlife here. It's like the heart of Kuching city with several five star hotels.

Introducing Kuching, Sarawak

Borneo’s most sophisticated city brings together a kaleidoscope of cultures, crafts and cuisines. The bustling streets – some very modern, others with a colonial vibe – amply reward visitors with a penchant for aimless ambling. Chinese temples decorated with dragons abut shophouses from the time of the White Rajahs, a South Indian mosque is a five-minute walk from stalls selling half-a-dozen Asian cuisines, and a landscaped riverfront park attracts families out for a stroll and a quick bite.

Kuching’s other huge asset is its day-trip proximity to a dozen first-rate nature sites.